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Hard Work = Happiness |
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April 16, 2000: Sunday:
Yesterday was a very good day - I felt full of energy and just happy to be alive. We had a great day of street contacting where we gave away 3 books and taught 2 discussions. We taught a very cool, young couple who were amazed at our dedication to come on a mission and were very interested in the message. It was a perfect street first, except we didn't set an appointment for the second because of some schedule difficulties - but in a couple of weeks they will be free to hear the 2nd.
After, we talked to a catholic priest who was quite ready to argue with us and had some very ridiculous ideas and concepts about the Gospel - he attempted to confound us - but it was a very poor attempt. The conversation didn't do much except it helped to strengthen my testimony of our church and see why Catholicism is so confused.
The best experience yesterday, thought, was a discussion we had with an ex-communicated member (there are a lot of them in Italy) He harbors hard feelings toward a lot of members and can't bring himself to forgive them. It was weird: I asked him how he felt about the Book of Mormon and he said he believes it's from God; I asked him about Joseph Smith and he said he believes he was a great prophet - then I asked him if he thought the church was true and he said no. Very confusing.
Then I shared a scripture with him from the D&C - Section 1 verse 30 which says this is the only true church on the face of the earth and it is perfect as a whole, but not individually - that is: The organization is perfect even though the individual members are not. Then I bore testimony to him that I know this is the only true church and the only church pleasing unto God - as I was saying these words I was filled with the Spirit and it testified to my soul that it really is true - I was filled with a giant love for the church and was on the verge of tears - I wanted so much for this man, Mario, to realize the importance and truthfulness of the church so he could choose to come back - in that moment I knew the church was true and it was beautiful.
Mario still has troubles with coming back thought, his pride is too large and he wants big time apologies from the people that hurt him - but that won't happen. We committed him to read the BoM and to pray regularly - I hope he finds what he needs.
Yesterday was a big testimony to me of the importance of hard work. We went out, worked hard, and had a blast, and when we came back home - we felt great - we felt like we had been doing what was right and we also got a lot done - it was amazing. It was also cool because Anz. McGuire and I felt a lot closer - we were joking around and laughing - needless to say: our morale was high. The world just seemed wonderful. All because we'd given our al to the Lord. |
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